Cutting-chain fob



E. 6. MORGAN.

CUTTING CHAIN FOR IvIINING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, |915.

' mem@ 1160.16,1919.

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EDMU-ND C. yIVlOlEtGAhT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

'CUTTING-CHAIN FOR MINING-MACHINES.

Application le'd Mai-ch 8 1915.

To all fia/toni 'it may concern:

Be it known ythat I, -EDMUND 'C..MoRGAN, a citizen Vof the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and `State of illinois, have invented certainnew and useful ln'iprovenients yin Cutting-Chains for IiIining-h/Iachines, of which the following yis a specification.

This invention relates to Aimprovements in cutting chains,'and more particularly'to improvements in cutting chains for mining machines.

The principal object of the invention iis to provide a simple strong construction which is effective vandefticient in operation.

ther objects of the invention will appear hereinafter'.

in the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portionofacutting chain constructed in accordance with the principles `of niy invention; Fig. 2 `is asidexeleration of the saine; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of fFig. 1, and Figgi is a sectional view illustrating the modied forni of clamping construction.

1n cutting chains for ininingmachines it is desirable that the chain partsshould 'be strong and substantial in construction, and that they should 'be of such a construction that the'parts may be assembled and taken apart `with great facility because of the heavy duty which is imposed upon them. rfhe cutting bits must also be easily accessible and removable.

1n the present constructiona cutting link designated generally vby the referenceV numeral 5 is formed with perforated link Lprojections G, a laterally extending head 7 and an opposite laterally extending guide portion 8. The head portion 7 is separated from the main or body portion ofthis link by means of a neck 9, and theguiding projection 8 at the other side of the link is of substantially the same Width as the neck 9. The head 7 isi of substantially the Ysame thickness as the main body portion -of the link, and extending` inwardly from the outer` v end of the head portion is a bit lsocket l0 which extends 'through the neck 9 to the main body portion ofthe link 5,`and on one side of the link is an aperture 11 Whiehcommunicates with the inner end ofthe bit socket. The bit sockets of adjacent lengths are oppositely inclined in the-link so 'that the en ds of adjacent sockets are nearest the opposite sides id theaperturcs ill of adja- Speciicaton of LettersPatent.

Patented Dec.'16, 1919. sei-iai No. 12,760.

`cent lengths-are on opposite sides of the links.

A bit 12 having a shank 13 is inserted in-each one of the sockets and as the bit sockets of Within the kerf, as illustrated bythe dotted l lines 15 in Fig. 3.

Each bit is securely yheld in place by means of a fastening device 16, and in order to remove a bit from the socket it is necessary lonly to loosen the fastening device and to draw the bit from the-socket. If the bit tends to stick in the socket a suitable tool can be inserted inthe aperture 11 on one side of the link and the bitrvvedged or driven from thesocket. Usually the inner extremity of the bit shank isfformed with beveled edges 17 to facilitate the insertion of a tool.

rllhe vcutter head 11 is formed with a groove 18 extending along the edgether'eof Vand withr a flanged edge 19vextending theremovement of the cutter chain toward and` vfronithe cutter headand would prevent the.

upward movementrof the chain With respect tothecutter head but in order to bind the chain against thedoWnWard movement with respect to the cutter l'head fa clamping Vstrip 22 is provided which is adjustably secured to the cutter head lby means of a .fastening screw 23' and projects over the groove 18 above the over-hanging Vprojection 2O of the `guide yportion 8 of each linkf This holds thecutter chain firmly lin position in the guideivay', preventing its dislodgment 'therefrom but permitting the cutting ichain to slide-freclyalong the guidevvay.v

In order to connectfthecutting lengths a connecting member 221: is provided which has a guide portion 8 which is preferably similar to the guide portion of the cutting length. lt is also formed wi h two preterably integral pivot pins 25 extending in the opposite direction from the guide portion S and adapted to be inserted through the perfor-ations ol the link projections G of adjacent cutting lengths 5. The neck Q ol each link forms a space 2G between the link portions and the head 7 oit each cutting length into which the extremities of the pivot pins project but they do not project tar enough to engage the inner side of the head 7. in outer link'Q? is provided ior each connector member which is oit substan tially the same length as the connector itself and is provided with pertorations through which the pins Q5 extend. ln order to place the outer link in proper position, in assembling the chain, it must be inserted in the spaces 26 ot adjacent cutting lengths 5 before the pins 25 are -inserted into the spaces 26. After the outer link 27 is in place the extremities of the pins 25 are inserted through the periforations ot the link 27 and the connection between the cutting lengths is complete. In order, however, to hold the outer link 27 in position it is formed with bosses 28 partially surrounding the apertures at the ends, the inner sides ot bosses being omitted to form seats 29 the ends of a spring 30. The pins 25 are formed adjacent their extremities on the insides thereof with notches 31 in which the ends ot the spring 30 are seated so that when the spring is in place with its extremities in the notches 31 the outer link QT is held irmly in position. To remore the spring 30 it is necessaryv only to insert a tool between the spring and the outer link and to pry the center of the suring upwardly whereupon the extremities ot thc spring will r1, bis@ tor become disengaged from the notches 31 andthe spring can be removed. t will bel seen, however, that even it the spring 30 is removed there is but little tendency 'for the chain to come apart, for the outer link 27 can be removed only when the comiector member Q4: is withdrawn to such an extent that the extremities of the pins 25 are clear of the spaces 26, and this is not likely to happen since the same guideway which holds the guide portions ot the cutting lengths also holds the guide portions et the connector link. TWhen desired, however, it is a simple matter' to disconnect the connector link, and the construction is simple and strong and not likely to become damaged. It will be seen that the ends of the pivot pins 25 are protected by the heads 7 of the cutting lengths so that there is no danger that the ends or the pins will become battered or bent to such an extent that the connector link cannot be easily removed.

Instead 01"' a fastening screw 23, as shown f in Fig. 3, a headed bolt 32 may be employed to secure the clamping strip in place, in which case it is desirable that the cutter head 14 be formed vith an upstanding shoulder 33 slightly above the head oit the bolt 32 to protect it from Contact with the sides or the kert and thereby to prevent it from becoming damaged.

ln Figs. 1 and 3 a driving tooth Jier the chain is represented by the broken outline L and a horizontal center line b in Fig. 1 is referred to as the drive line of the tooth, and the line c in Fig. 3 is the transverse center line of the tooth. rlhe tooth may be connected to a gear or any other suitable driving element (not shown). lt is evident that the drive line is intermediate the cutting bits 12 and the cutter head la and between the bits and the guidevv'ay ot the cutter head. l/Vith this construction the guideway or the cutter head and the center line of the cutting bits are substantially in the saine plane or are in thesan'ie straight line when viewed from the side as in Fig. 3, and therefore the maximum and the most direct driving` e'liect is produced by the teeth et the driving element. The cutter head is preferably mounted to swing intothe material to be cut and the broken lines (Z in Fig. 3 represent the path ot a kerit cut by the chain. Since the cutter head is substantially the same e width as the cutting chain a very thin deep kert can be cut.

It should be noted that the invention hereinbefore described is particularly adapted for loop chain core-cutting machines in which the frame 14: is an open frame having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, the direction of feed being along` the path indicated by the broken lines Z in Fig. 3. rThe line ot drive indicated by the line c in Fig. 3 is in a transverse plane relatively to the feeding` path or travel ot the chain cutter. The cutters are located at one edge of the chain and the guiding mechanism at the opposite edge ot the chain, the guiding path of travel being parallel to the path o'r travel of the cutters and the cutter head, interlocking guiding mechanism, the chain, and the cutters beingl arranged in series in the direction ot the feed, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to effect the cutting ot a narrow kort in a loop chain cere-cutting machine.

In my copending application, Ser. No.

8elS,72 6, led July 3, 1914, for cutter chains for mining machines, ll have covered broadly cutting mechanism of the same general type as that herein disclosed and also partielllarly adapted for use in core-cutting mining machines comprising cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough.

llVhat I claim is:

1.' A chain cutter adapted for loop chain core cutting mining machines, said chain lil) iso

cutter 'comprising a chain having a plane of drive extending transversely of the direction oit-feed and spaced troin the guiding path or' n'iovenient'ot said chain, said chain comprising links, and -an overhanging part and an underhangin'g projection ex-tending :from said links back of the chain relative to the `feeding direction thereof.

2. ln a chain cutter for mining machines, the combination with -links adapted tor a line of drive in a plane extending transversely of the direction of feed, of cutters extending` from the forward edge of said chain, yan overhanging portion and an underhanging projection extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said chain, a cutterhead having a flange extending between said overhang-ing portion and said under-hanging projection, said cutter-head also having agroove for receiving the overhanging portion, andan adjustable device for confining aid overhanging portion to move-ment along said groove.

3. The combination with a cutting chain having links arranged for a plane of drive substantially at rightangles to the direction of feed, of cutters extending from the forward edge ot said cha-in, an overhanging portion and an underhanging projection extending rearwardly from the rea-r edge or' said iframe, a cutter-head having a. flange and agroove-to engage the underhanging proj ection and the overhanging portion respectively, and a clamping strip to prevent the dislocation of said flange trom said underhanging projection and to prevent the dislocation o said overhanging portion from said groove. Y Y

l. The combination with a cutter-head havinga groove and a projecting flange, of a cutter chain adapted ior a line ot drive in a plane substantially at right angles to the direction' or' feed, an overhanging portion extending rearwardly from the rear edge of said chain and seated in said groove,

f an under-hanging projection extending-.rearwardly troni the rear edge of said chain and disposed beneath said flange in a position spaced from said overhanging projection, and a clampin' strip secured to said cutterhea d and adpted to project over a portion of said groove to hold said overhanging portion therein and hold said chain in sliding relation to said cutter-head and in alinement therewith in feeding direction.

5. In a chain cutter for mining machines, the combination. with a chain, of cutters extending from the 'forward edge oit said chain,f guiding` devices extending from the rear edge of said chain and each 'iortin g aid ef;-

i'anie having a groove for receivin tension and itself having an extension with having anintermediate longitudinal groove ane an exltension with angular bends. a. -sn

dinal grooves and a plate removably secured to said frame for confining said extensions from said chain in the groove in'said traine yto supportsaid chain and said cuttersin alineinent with said frame in the direction ot feed toria line ot drive ot said chain in a plane approximately at right angles to the direction ot feed.

6. n cutting mechanism for producing curved -keri's in a mine wall, the combination with a plurality of cutting links, of a plurality of connecting links, a plurality of guiding devices one connected to each of said cutting links to move therewith and one connected to each of said connecting links to move therewith, and projecting rearwardly from the chain formed by said links, cutting bits connected to the iront side or' said cutting links, and a guide frame connected to the said guiding devices *to* support said chain 'for a cutting path of travel spaced Vfrom said guiding devices and substantially at right angles to the feeding path oi travel of said chain. s

7. ln a chain cutter 'for ininingmachines, the combination with a plurality of cutter holders each having perforated link portions and a head'separated from the line of drive, and each alsohaving a projection opposite said head, of a plurality of connecting links,V

Vand pins adapted to'be inserted through the perforations `oit said link portions vtohold said connecting links between said perforated link portions, said heads having extensions to protect the adjacent extremities ot said pins. y

8. In a chain cutter for mining machines, the combination with a chain having a line otdrive in a plane substantially at right angies to the direction ot' feed, of cutter holflers on the forward side of said chain, a guiding device on the rear side ot said chain said guiding device comprising a longitudinal intermediate grcoveand an extension having angular bends, and a supporting frame ttor said chain comprising an'extension into said grooveand means tor receiving the extension of said guiding device.

Y 9. 1n a cutter chain of the class described, the combination with cutting` links each formed with perforated link engaging portions and with a head separated Ytherefrom but having portions opposite the perforationsgof a plurality of connecting linksY having pins adapted to be inserted through the perforated portions of the other Vlink from the side opposite the headthereo'l',l and an outer connecting link with;- peii'torations lil) through which the-pinspass, vless in width thedistancebetweeii the head and peri torated link yportion whereby the link must "be placed inthe said spaces before the extreniities et the pins are inserted through the outer link member.y Y 'l Y l0. ,n `a vcuttingfchain .of the class described, the combination with a plurality of cutting links each formed with perforated link engaging portions and a head separated therefrom on one side by a neck forming a space with portions of the head opposite the perforations, a plurality of connector links each having pins adapted to be inserted through the perforations of the cutting lengths and with notches at their ends on the inside, an outer connecting link adapted to be placed in spaces formed bv the necks of adjacent cutting lengths before the pins of the connector member are insert-ed through the perforations of the cutting length and having a guide in the outer face thereof, and a resilient spring adapted to be inserted in the notches at the ends of the pins and seated and held in place by the guide of the outer connector lengtl for preventing the dislocation of the link.

l1. A chain cutter for mining machines, comprising a link structure for driving engagement, the plane of drive being at right angles to the direction of feed, cutting means at the forward side of said chain having a cutting path of travel parallel to the plane of drive, and guiding means at the rear side of the chain spaced rearwardly from the plane of drive, the cutting and guiding means being in substantially the sam@ plane as the center line of the link structure and in alinement with each other in the direction of feed transversely to the plane of drive, said guiding means being no greater in thickness than the thickness of the chain and located entirely rearwardly of the chain.

l2. A chain cutter for mining machines having a central drive line in a plane transverse of the direction of feed, cutting means extending forwardly from said chain and having a cutting path of travel parallel to said central drive line, and guiding means wholly on the rear side of said chain and spaced in its entirety from such plane of drive by being confined to a space no greater in thickness than the thickness of said chain and thereby leaving the lateral surfaces of said chain exposed, free and unobstructed.

13. A mining machine chain cutter for producing cylindrically curved kerfs in a mine wall, comprising flat links capable of free feeding movement in a curved kerf, additional links in planes at right angles to said first-named links, cutting tools connected to one edge of said fiat links and capable of cutting cylindrically curved lerfs for the passage of said fiat links and said additional links in feeding direction, a cylindrically curved supporting frame capable of free movement along said cylindrically curved kerf following said cutting tools and said fiat links and additional links, and interlocking guiding connections between said vertical links and said supporting frame at that side of the chain opposite the cutting tools.

14. A mining machine chain cutter adapted for producing narrow curved kerfs in a mine wall, said chain cutter comprising a link structure provided with a line of drive in a plane transverse to the feeding direction, cutting tools mounted on the forward side of said link structure, a guide frame at the rear side of said link structure spaced from said line of drive, and confined to a space no greater in thickness than the thickness of said link structure, and interlocking connections between said link structure and said guide frame and extending all along the latter within the space no greater in thickness than the thickness of said chain for preventing the link structure from moving from said frame while being guided along the latter for a cutting path 0f travel parallel to the said line of drive.

l5. ln mechanism for producing narrow curved kerfs in a mine wall, the combination with a guide frame curved in cross-section in the direction of feed, of a kerf chain cutter in arcuate alinement with said guide frame in the direction of arcuate feed, and interlocking guiding connections between said guide frame and the chain of said chain cutter opposite the cutting edge ofthe latter and confined to a space directly back of said chain of a thickness determined by the lateral surfaces of said chain.

1G. ln a chain cutter for mining machines, the combination with a plurality of links, of a guide frame, and interlocking guiding connections between the links and said guide frame confined to a space limited by the extended opposite surfaces of said links, said links having a line of drive in a plane transverse to the direction of the feed of said chain cutter together with said guide frame and interlocking guiding connections.

lr'. A chain cutter having a cutting side and a guiding side in alinement with each other in feeding direction and comprising a plurality of cutter links and intermediate connecting links` and guiding mechanism extending from the guiding side of the chain and comprising extensions each having a plurality of bends, said guiding mechanism being confined to a space between planes extended fr m opposite surfaces of said chain, leaving the lateral surfaces of the chain exposed and unobstructed for free passage along the korf.

18. ln cutting mechanism for core cutting mining machines, the combination with a chain having cutting ltools extending from the advance edge thereof, of a guide frame spaced back from the rear edge of said chain, interlockin connections comprising grooves c* along the forward edge of said frameand also comprising extensions :from

the rear etse of said chain to into said grooves for confining said chain critter to a predetermined path of critting travel parallel to the plane of drive located intermediate the cutting path of travel and said interlocking connections, said interlocking connections preventing said chain critter from being moved away from any portion of said frame in feeding direction trans versely of theA plane of drive.

19. A chain critter for mining machines comprising a plrirality of alternate critter links, of a plurality of pairs of intermediate links pivoted to said critter links, i`sliaped heads extending from said cutter links and forming recesses to receive the ends of the outer intermediate links, and guiding mechanism for that side of the chain opposite the said heads, said griiding mechanism confining the inner intermediate links to its position relatively to said critter links.

20. In a chain critter for mining machines, the combination with a chain having a line of drive in a plane extendingtransversely of the direction of feed, of cutter holders on the forward side of said chain, griiding devices connected to the other side of said chain within a space between the planes of the opposite srirfaces of said chain having srich surfaces exposed and free topass along a narrow kerf, which srirfaces are parallel tof the direction of feed, and a frame also within the surfaces of srich planes for receiving said guiding devices within the forward edge of said frame and locking the chain against movement away from said frame and confining said guiding devices to a traveling movement along the edge of said chain parallel to said plane of drive.

2l. In a chain critter for mining machines, the. combination with a chain having a line of drive in a plane extending transversely of the direction of feed, of means for holding cutters extending from the forward edge of said chain, a supporting frame, guiding devices extending from the rear edge of said chain and fitting into the forward edge ofI said frame approximately within planes extending through opposite surfaces of said chain parallel to the direction of feed leaving srich surfaces unobstrricted for freedom of passage along a narrow kerf, and means on said frame for locking said guiding devices to said frame against movement away therefrom while permitting guiding movement along the same.

22. In achain critter for mining machines, the combination with a chain having a line of drive in a plane sribstantially at right angles to the direction of feed, of means for receiving cutting tools at the forward edge of said chain, guiding devices extending from the rear edge of said chain, a frame for receiving said guiding devices within a space between planes extending through opposite surfaces of said chain and parallel to the direction of feed leaving srich opposite surfaces of said chain free and unobstructed, and a removable plate adapted to be secured to said frame to hold lsaid guiding devices in interlocking engagement with said frame. p

23, In a chain critter for mining machines, the combination with a chain having a line of drive in a plane extending sribstantially at right angles to the direction of feed, of cutters carried by said chain to extend from the forward edge thereof, guiding meclianism comprising extensions secured to said chain and confined to a space between planes of the opposite srirfaces of said chain leaving the lateral surfaces of said chain free and unobstructed, and a griide frame of a thickness no greater than the thickness of said chain between such opposite surfaces, and having an interlocking groove for receiving said guiding mechanism and conning movement thereof along said guide frame but preventing movement of said chain away from said frame in the direction of feed or in the reverse direction.

24. In a chain cut-ter for mining machines, the combination with a chain having a plane of drive extending transversely of the direction of feed, of critters extending from the forward edge of said chain, and guiding mechanism for said chain comprising eXtensions from the rear edge of said chain and a griide frame having a groove extending along the same at the forward edge thereof and opening toward the feeding path of travel of the chain to confine the chain to a predetermined path of travel along said guide frame and prevent movement of said chain away from said guide frame in the direction of feed or in the reverse direction, said Y guiding mechanism including said frame occupying a space no greater in thickness than the thickness of said chain measured along a line parallel to said plane of drive.

Q5. r1`he combination with a traveling cutter chain, of cutting devices carried by the forward edge of said chain, a support along which said chain is adapted to travel transversely of its direction of feed, means at the forward edge of said support for guiding the chain along srich path of travel, and mechanism connected between said chain and said guiding means to lock the chain against movement thereof from said srrpport in the direction of feed or in the reverse direction, said guiding means and said locking mechanism being located at the rear of the chain and spaced from the plane of drive which extends transversely of the direction of feed.

26. In chain cutting mechanism for mining machines, the combination with a plurality of alternate critter links, of a plurality of pairs of intermediate links pivotallj,7 connected to said cutter links to constitute a chain having a plane of drive substantiallyT at right angles to the direction of feed, T- shaped heads extending from the forward edge of said cutter links to form recesses for receiving the ends of the forward links of the pairs of intermediate links, spring clips extending longitudinally of said forward links to hold them in predetermined pivotal connection with said cutter links, cutters mounted in sockets extending through said heads into said' cutter links transversely to the plane of drive, means for holding said cutters rigidly connected to said heads, a supporting frame in position to follow said chain and said cutters in the direction of feed, and interlocking guiding mechanism between said cutter links and said frame,

and also between the rear links of the pairs and inter-locking mechanism being in aline' ment with a transverse section of said chain in the direction of feed and between opposite surfaces of said chain.

in testimony whereof l have signed my 0 name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 4th day of March, A. D. 1915.

EDMUND C. MORGAN. Witnesses Ci-iAs. M. Nissan, Cries. H. Sunil. 

